Every Soul Matters {Anna Fletcher 80th Candidate Speech}

[kap]

Anna Fletcher
Speech

For years and years, I'd been told I could never accomplish anything. I was in a wheelchair, paralyzed from the waist down, and they insisted that that meant I was incapable of success. They were more wrong than they'd ever realize. Yes, I lost my brother, Marcus to the Seventy-Fifth Hunger Games, but that didn't mean I'd fail at life. Things were difficult, losing him, especially right after it happened. As time had gone on, however, I strengthened myself on my own, trying to show myself that, even if others thought all my potential died along with my brother, it hadn't actually done so.

I had more potential to succeed than I ever would have thought I'd have years ago.

Now, as I made my way up to the stage, taking the makeshift ramp they'd constructed for me to do so, I smiled to the crowd who was gathered there in the square of District Seven. I waved to them all when I'd reached the microphone before I began my speech.

"Thank you all for being here. It means a lot to me, truly," I said to begin.

"Each and every person in this District matters to me, and I want to make sure, before anything else that I say, you all are aware of that. I care more about those around me than I care for myself sometimes, dedicating the majority of my time to helping others, whether that be by volunteering to assist people whenever I am capable of doing so, or nursing people back to life with my knowledge of medicine." I was being completely honest with every single word that passed through my lips. Not a single lie would ever grace my tongue.

"Every since losing my brother, Marcus Fletcher, I've told myself that I needed to help those around me, due to not being able to help him. He was a tribute in the Seventy-Fifth Games by his own choice, and for years, I told myself I must have done something wrong to make him want to leave our father and I to go somewhere he might not come back from. I shouldn't have ever told myself that, though, because I was wrong in thinking that- so very wrong."

I had to prevent myself from tearing up. I had to look strong if I wanted the people to listen to me, rather than just sympathize with me.

"I realize now that he left for his own, personal reasons, and he knew I was strong enough to stay behind in District Seven and take care of myself and others. That's what I want to do now. I want to take care of those in this District I call my home, and I want to make sure that everyone has what they need. If they're sick, I want to make sure there's someone to take care of them. If they need food, if they need water, if they need shelter, or simply a shoulder to cry on, I want to be able to help, making sure that each and every one of you has what you need."

It was time to finish things up. My speech was coming to a close, which was likely a good thing, as I was holding back tears, thinking about Marcus.

"I want you all to know that, should I become mayor, I am here to help. I want to make sure all of you have what you need, when you need it." A short pause separated my words. "I'd like to thank you all so much for your time, and I hope that you all know that, should you need help, regardless of whether or not I get your vote as mayor, I still want to be able to aid you."

I made my way off of the stage to applause.

630 words